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Michigan assistant Sherrone Moore called 2020 cornerback Dontae Manning Tuesday to extend a scholarship offer.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Michigan #GoBlue〽️ @Coach_SMoore @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/vQv0mTB1FB
— CraZ (@dontaemanning_8) February 12, 2019
The three-star out of Kansas City (Mo.) grew up recently idolizing the play of former Wolverine Jabrill Peppers.
“(He) is one of my favorite players who played there and made it to the NFL,” Manning told Maize n Brew. “Real life inspiration.”
This personal idolization separates Michigan from a slew of interested Midwestern programs, as Notre Dame, Nebraska and Iowa have offered the 6-foot, 175-pounder. Virginia Tech and Iowa State are also contending for his services.
The Raytown Senior High Bluejay ranks as the No. 652 overall prospect per the 247Sports composite, as well as the No. 45 corner.
Manning may not be a five-star like Peppers, but he lists a blazing 10.77 100-meter dash. He looks to combine this athleticism with Peppers’ positional flexibility.
“Jabrill can just about do anything on the field,” Manning said. “I’m hoping just to be versatile anywhere I’m needed.”
During his conversation with Moore, he saw an opportunity to compete on Don Brown’s perennially top-10 defense and “all of the strong key players on it.”
He also clicked with the tight ends coach, and now seeks to meet the rest of the coaching staff.
“(Moore) asked a lot about my personal background and at the end he offered me,” Manning said. “I’m just now started to get a relationship with all the others (on the) coaching staff.”
Manning could be the third Michigan commitment in three cycles to come from the “Show Me” State. Three-stars in wide receiver Ronnie Bell and running back Hassan Haskins pledged in 2018.
Bell also hails from Kansas City, so Manning wants to reach out to him, in particular.
“I plan on hitting Ronnie up to see how he made his decision,” Manning said, “and what he loves about Michigan.”
After he attends the Iowa Junior Day in early March, he will look to carve out a time to visit Ann Arbor. He didn't list a timetable for a decision.
Check out his highlights here, or below.